Mercado Global

“In a large slice of the world, girls are uneducated and women marginalized, and it’s not an accident that those same countries are disproportionately mired in poverty … The world is awakening to a powerful truth: Women and girls aren’t the problem; they’re the solution.“ – Nicholas Kristof  and Sheryl WuDunn

Happy International Women’s Day from Mercado Global!  

At Mercado Global, we celebrate the success of women every day. In California this week, Ruth spoke at Stanford University, Menlo School, and a variety of other institutions and gatherings to share our impact changing the lives of mothers in Guatemala.

The week started at Stanford’s Women’s Social Entrepreneurship Panel, titled “Making a Difference in the World.” The panel was moderated by Sheryl O’Loughlin, Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Stanford Business School. Ruth shared the stage with three other women leaders in social entrepreneurship in a discussion about the power of women in this field. The group also talked about the different models of social entrepreneurship (non-profit, for-profit, and hybrid), as well as the challenges and opportunities female entrepreneurs face. Ruth says of the event, “It was great to connect with other women who are passionate about making a difference!”

Pictured: Ruth, with panelists (R-L) Erin Erin Ganju, CEO of Room to Read, Anne Marie Burgoyne, Portfolio Director of the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, and Jennifer Carolan, Co-leader of the New Schools’ Seed Fund.